A roast turkey is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving and because the meal is built around it, cooks often feel some pressure to get it cooked perfectly. The turkey, usually sold frozen, must be thawed for quite some time before it can be prepped – and for every two chefs out there there are 3 opinions on how the turkey should be cooked. There is one turkey that I know of that promises to make Thanksgiving easier by eliminating all of these variables: the Jennie-O Turkey Store Oven Ready Whole Turkey.
The turkey comes in an oven bag and is baked from frozen. All you really need to do is take the turkey, still in the bag, and place it in a roasting pan in a preheated oven. An 11-13 pound turkey takes about 3 1/2 hours to cook completely. There is an oven thermometer already in the turkey that “pops up” when the turkey is done so you know exactly when to take it out of the oven.
I was skeptical before I tried it. Frozen turkey? No work required? It honestly seemed like it was too simple, but the fact that I didn’t have to handle a huge raw turkey was extremely appealing, as was the idea that the turkey is a huge Thanksgiving time-saver.
The turkey turned out great. I followed the package directions exactly and the turkey was well-cooked – both white and dark meat – flavorful and very moist. The turkey is prepared with “up to 10 percent solution to enhance juiciness and tenderness” and comes pre-seasoned, with salt and spices, including onion powder, paprika and garlic powder, all of which I would normally put on a turkey made from scratch. The skin was well-browned and, while not as crispy as some turkey skin I’ve had before, was still tender and not soggy. The turkey had lots of flavorful drippings, which I used to make gravy once the turkey was done. In fact, it was even easy to get the drippings out of the oven bag by snipping off a corner and letting them drain into a measuring cup so I could skim off the fat.
All in all, this turkey is definitely worth a try. I loved the fact that I didn’t have to worry about whether or not the turkey was cooking properly, as well as that I didn’t need to handle the bird in advance, saving time for other Thanksgiving prep work. The meat was tender and tasty, and the homemade gravy turned out great. If you’re set on a heritage turkey or going for totally organic bird, you might have to wait until Jennie-O expands their line. Otherwise, this is a great option and one you (and a turkey-loving family) won’t be disappointed with.
Homemade Turkey Gravy approx 3 cups turkey drippings, fat skimmed 1/4 cup all purpose flour salt and pepper, to taste
In a stovetop-safe roasting pan, or a medium saucepan, whisk together turkey drippings and flour until smooth. Cook over medium heat until gravy comes to a simmer and thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve while warm, with turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.
With the holidays right around the corner, you may be starting to think about which turkey brand to buy for your festive meal Jennie O turkey is a popular option, but is it really worth the price? In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Jennie O turkey, including its history, reputation, and how it compares to competitors like Butterball. Read on to find out if Jennie O is the right choice for your holiday table!
A Brief History of Jennie O Turkey
Jennie O was founded in 1940 by Earl B Olson in Willmar, Minnesota The company was named after Olson’s daughter, Jennifer Olson. In 1949, Jennie O was acquired by Hormel Foods, though it continued to operate as a separate brand under the Jennie O name.
Throughout the mid-1900s, Jennie O focused on breeding turkeys specifically for their meat quality. Their turkeys became popular for their juiciness, tenderness, and flavor. By the 1990s, Jennie O had grown into one of the largest turkey producers in the United States.
Today, Jennie O sells a wide variety of turkey products including whole turkeys, breasts, deli meats, sausages, and ground turkey. Their headquarters is still located in Willmar, Minnesota, and their turkeys are raised on farms throughout the Midwest.
Jennie O’s Reputation for Quality
Over the past 80 years, Jennie O has built up a strong reputation for quality and taste. Their turkeys are revered for being juicy, tender, and delicious right out of the oven.
Jennie O breeds their own turkeys and carefully controls every step of the process from the hatchery to the packaging plant. Their turkeys are fed a vegetable-based diet and are raised cage-free in barns that are temperature controlled for comfort. Jennie O does not use any artificial hormones or steroids in their turkeys.
On consumer review sites like Amazon, Jennie O whole turkeys consistently earn high ratings, with many customers raving about the juicy flavor. The brand has won numerous awards and taste-tests over the years as well.
In a Serious Eats taste test comparing heritage, kosher, free-range, organic, and conventionally raised turkeys, Jennie O came out on top. The testers praised it for being juicy and having a well-seasoned flavor.
How Jennie O Compares to Butterball
Butterball is arguably Jennie O’s biggest competitor in the turkey market. Both brands are available nationally in most major grocery stores. When comparing Jennie O and Butterball turkeys, here are some of the main differences:
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Size: On average, Butterball turkeys are slightly bigger than Jennie O. Butterball offers turkeys up to 24 lbs, while Jennie O tops out at around 16 lbs.
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Price: Jennie O whole turkeys cost about $1 more per pound compared to Butterball. However, you may get more meat for your dollar with a larger Butterball turkey.
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Flavor: In taste tests, Jennie O tends to edge out Butterball slightly when it comes to juiciness and flavor. However, both get excellent marks from testers.
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Availability: Both brands are widely available, but if you’re shopping last minute, you may have an easier time finding a Butterball since they account for over 50% of turkey sales.
So in terms of quality and taste, Jennie O measures up nicely to industry leader Butterball. Jennie O offers smaller turkeys, which may be preferable if you’re feeding a smaller gathering. The price is very comparable between the two brands as well.
Pros and Cons of Jennie O Turkey
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the key pros and cons of choosing Jennie O for your holiday turkey:
Pros:
- Delicious, juicy flavor
- Carefully bred and raised for meat quality
- Good availability in major grocery stores
- Comes in a range of sizes for small or large gatherings
- Competitively priced with other premium brands
Cons:
- Smaller maximum size compared to some brands
- Can be pricier than basic store brand turkeys
- Less availability than Butterball
Is Jennie O Worth the Price?
Based on Jennie O’s history, reputation, and quality, purchasing one of their turkeys is definitely worth the investment for most shoppers. While you will pay a small premium compared to basic store brand turkeys, Jennie O is competitively priced with other premium turkey brands.
The exceptional flavor and juiciness of Jennie O turkeys make them a great choice for a holiday centerpiece. Their smaller turkey sizes work nicely for gatherings of 8 people or less. The brand also has an outstanding reputation, so you can trust you are getting a high-quality product.
However, if you are feeding a very large crowd on a tight budget, you may want to go with a cheaper store brand or a larger Butterball turkey. But for a mid-sized holiday gathering with a little extra to invest, Jennie O is hard to beat both in terms of taste and value. Their turkeys will cook up moist, delicious, and picture-perfect – a crowd-pleasing holiday meal.
So don’t hesitate to give Jennie O a try this holiday season. Their turkeys live up to the hype, earning their reputation as a premium turkey brand after more than 80 years in business. With outstanding flavor and reasonable prices, Jennie O is absolutely worth considering for your next special occasion meal.
Thanksgiving: Jennie-O-Turkey And How It Ends Up On Your Plate | History
FAQ
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